River channel deepening means



Sept. 15, 1931. F. FREDEEN RIVER CHANNEL DEEPENING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 7, 1927 Sept. 15, 1931. FREDEEN RIVER CHANNEL DEEPENING MEANS Filed July 7, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Rm 5 R Sept. 15, 1931. FREDEEN 1,822,964

RIVER CHANNEL DEEPENING MEANS Filed July 7, 92 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 15, 1931 &

FRANK FREDEEN, OF IVIINNEAPOLIS, lv/[INNESOTA RIVER CHANNEL nnnrmvrne- MEANS Application filed July 7,

My present invention has to do with the deepening of channels of rivers of which the Mississippi River is a type; and it contemplates the provision of a unit system of specially arranged sets of shorewardly plowing,

channel opening disc plows, movable by the impelling water power progressively CO1 served and developed and made available for controlled utilization by the means or" providing and using the therein included system of floating, semi-floating, submersible channel spanning wing dam units adapted to harness and constantly and economically use available power of a navigable stream and 1 .5 equipped with elements adapted incident to the said movement to shorewardly plowand deepen the bottom of the entire predetermined standard channel width and in approximate true course of required commercial channel, at the same time utilizing the impell- 3! 'ultward. The silt and other substance cisplaced by the shorewardly plowing disc action alluded to is of course by the means of the impelling hydraulic velocity of sub-current connningled .with and carried off by the 35 shorewardly diverted swift sub-current the ieavy sand and gravel, of course, will settle and form substantial andpermanent channel berm, and thefiner silt will be in commingled state progressive gulfward ahead of the deepening means.

Other objects and practical advantages of the inventlon will be fully understood from the following descrlptlon and claims when the same ,areread in connection .with the. drawings, accompany ng and forming part of this specification, in which V Figure 1 is a top plan view of so much of the preferred embodiment of my invention is necessary to illustrate the complete em- 1927. Serial no. 204,048.

Figure 1a is a top plan view showing the device in folded state, with the Iscarifying means detached, so .that the apparatus,.,with the scarifying device, is adapted to be towed light and easy upstream to the headoipavigatlon or to any point Where my .novelichannel deepener, Widener and straighteneris ,to be put in use.

' Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same with the means or apparatus illustrated in proper relation to the bedofa channel, andbringing ut the fact that a CQHSiderableportion [of the apparatus ormea-ns is submerged in use.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail viewshowing what I term one ofthediskplowelementsof my improvement.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same the floatable tank belowtheelementbeingshown in vertical section.

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse section taken approximately in the plane indica ted by the line 5-,5 of Figure 3, looking toward the left and illustrating the manner in which the guide member forthe beam ofthe scarifying element is pivotally mounted Qll-ithe float or tank.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail v view illustrated of the pivot device.

Figure 7 is an enlarge clldetail plan view,

partly in section, illustrating, one of the heads comprlsed in my improvement and certain parts associated with such head. i

Figure -8 is an enlarged fragmentarysection showing tanlrmembers of my improvement inconjunction with long'buoyant timhers at the-bottoms thereof whichtimbers are adapted to be disposed and tobe moved in slightly spaced relation above thebottonrgr bed of the channel.

Figure 9 i a e how n t .PIQfB FFQd embodiment of myinvention'in end elevation and also showinghow the, apparatus operates to deepen the channel of a stream throu houtthewidth of the channeh it being u i'erstoodin this connectionthat an embodiment such as is shown in Figures 1 and Qnrayfbe p y n h ereb en -0 ...t1 .Pa 'tY practicing the invention, any desirednumber otsaid embodiments may be employed in tandem relation.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the views of the drawings.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is possessed of folding capacity, and therefore adapted to be towed Lip-stream in a folded or closed state and repeatedly permittedpto progress clown-stream or to be moved clown-stream by the current of the stream and incident to such movement to effectively shorewardly disk plow and ditch the full required width of improved bed or bottom of the channel and in that way efficiently and uniformly increase the depth an d standardize width and course of the channel and plane the bottom or bed thereof and thereby improve the depth and width of the channel and conduce to the free movement of water and will promote increased tonnage capacity of and safety of watercraft through the channel.

I would also have it understood that my invention contemplates the employment of a small tow boat at the forward end or down stream end of my novel means or apparatus, the province of the tow boat being purely to direct or guide my novel apparatus or means in line desired. The boat alluded to as a tow boat does not tow the apparatus or means which is designed to be moved by the impelling force of the by-wing dam element conserved plower current of the river or stream, but on the other hand serves merely to guide the apparatus or means as stated. Said boat, not shown, is designed to be appropriately coupled or attached to the forward or downstream end of the apparatus at the point where I show what may be properly designated a clevis 1. The apparatus, however, may be guided in any appropriate manner.

I would also have it understood that the preferred embodiment of my'invention includes one or more disc plows on every scarifying element of the apparatus so that when moved downstream in the manner hereinbefore referred to, the apparatus will plow shorewardly and the impelling hydraulic velocity of sub-current will scour and etfectively excavate and deepen the channel bed or bottom, and from the furrows produced the concentrated impelling hydraulic velocity of sub-current of water would wash and divert silt and other spoil and mud-mixed water first shoreward and thence gulfward or mouthward so that therequired commercial channel will thus be effectively and permanently deepened and straightened as may be desired. It will be understood that the heaviest spoil will thus be deposited beyond the edge of the plowed area and will there form berm of channel. The light silt will. be carried in suspension gulfward ahead of the progressing deepening means.

As hereinbefore intimated any desired number of the devices such as shown in Figure 1 may be employed in tandem relation, but inasmuch as said devices are similar in construction a detailed description of the apparatus or device shown in Figure 1 will suflice to impart-a definite understanding of all. I would also have it understood that the apparatus illustrated comprises a plurality of units arranged one behind the other, Figure 1, which units are'numbered 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and inasmuch as the said units are generally similar in construction a detailed description of the unit 3 will suffice to impart a definite understanding of all. I would also have it understood that while I show but three units, 2, 3 and 4, the number of the trailing units may be increased or diminished in the discretion of the party practicing my invention.

The unit 3 specifically mentioned includes a tapered head 5 from which extends rearwardly a tongue 6, Figure 7, the said tongue 6 being of tank form or hollow as illustrated and being provided with filling openings 7 so that it may be partially or completely charged with water to bring about its lower portion occupying a position in use adja ent to the bed or bottom of the channel, Figure 2. The head 5 is recessed as at 8 and connected in the manner illustrated or in any other approved manner that will permit of lateral and vertical swinging movement are what I designate wing dams 9, the said wingdams 9 being adapted to be positioned in diverging relation from the head 5 incident to serving as a channel spanning dam unit and being also adapted to be swung horizontally and vertically and positioned when desired in parallel relation to the tongue 6 as when the unit is folded incident to the towing of the apparatus upstream precedent to an operative downstream movement of the apparatus. In this connection I would have it understood that when the direction of movement of the apparatus is reversed, that is to say the apparatus is towed upstream, and the wing dams are released, the action of the current will operate to swing the wing dams 9 inwardly into positions close to and parallel with the tongue 6, and for this reason I have deemed it necessary to illustrate the wing dams 9 in the positions they assume when the apparatus is towed up stream. Each of the wing dams 9cis of tank or hollow form as shown by sections in Figure 7, and each is provided with one or more filling openings 10 so that it may be charged with water to a greater or less extent to bring about its proper service submersion to a point adjacent to the bed or bottom of-the river.

In order to lend flotability to the tongue 6 and the wing dams 9 without the same being of tank form, if desired, I provide each of the said elements 6 and 9 at its under side with a wooden portion or portions designated by 11 in Figure 8. Manifestly when equipped as indicated, the tongue 6 and the wing dam elements 9 will be adapted to move in spaced relation to a river bottom or bed, Figure 2. I would also have it understood that within the purview of my invention, the head may be of hollow or tank form and may have a wooden portion such as illustrated in Figure 8 at its under side.

The unit 3 and likewise the units 2 and 4 also include barges 13, preferably in the form of tanks or hollow bodies with openings 14 through which they may be completely or partially filled with water as different conditions demand, and these also, if desired, may have wooden portions such as described, at their under sides.

The inner end portions of the barges 13 are connected by cables 15 with the rear portion of an adjoining tongue as 6, or may be otherwise connected or coupled in suitable manner and the outer end portions of said barges 13 are connected by cables 16 with the wing dams 9 and guided thereon in rear of the particular barges 13 alluded to. I would also have it understood at this point that each wing dam member 9 is made of a plurality of sections coupled as indicated by 17 in Figure 8.

In each of the units 2, 3 and l, limiting cables 18 are interposed between the rear end portions of the tongues 6 and the wing dam members 9. Manifestly within the purview of my invention, the cables 18 may be increased or diminished in length in any approved manner preferably by means of power winches so as to fix the extent to which the wing dam members 9 can swing outwardly incident to the Working movement of my novel apparatus down stream under the action of the current of the stream.

The hollow heads 5 when desired may be provided with filling apertures, these being desirable when the hollow heads 5 are not in communication interiorly with their respective tongues 6. I would also have it understood at this point that the head 5 of the unit 3 may, if deemed expedient, be provided with a tank 20 for the reception of water, the said tank 20 being provided with a filling opening at 21 and the water being put' to any desired use.

At 25a" the heads 5 are preferably, though not necessarily provided with pumps to facilitate the placing of water in and removal of water from the tanks.

The cables 15 and 16 in connection with the barges 13 and arranged as before de scribed serve when the apparatus is at work to maintain the barges 13 in the laterally extending positions illustrated.

The wing dam elements 9 bein necessarily large and long and unwieldy, I provide the head 5 of each unit 2, 3, and 4 with an engine 25' in connection with urums 26, the connection being conventional, and it therefore not being necessary to specifically describe-said connection. On the drums 26 are cables 27 which are guided at 28 and are appropriately engaged at 29 with the wing dam members 9 so that when the drums 26 are rotated in the.

ro or direction the win dam elements 9 may be swung outwardly and may be held against casual or accidental inward movement. \Vhen the cables 27 are let off the drums 26, the wing dam members 9 will be free to swing inwardly or toward the tongues 6 of the several units 2, 3, and i. In operation, if it is necessary to provide power means for the inward movement of the wing dam members 9, power winches, for instance, willwise to and connected with the rear portions;

of the tongues 6. VJ hen this latter arrangement is resorted to, turning of the drums 26 in one direction will e attended by inward movement of the wing dam members 9 while when the drums 26 are turned in the opposite directions, the wing dam members 9- will be permitted to swing outwardly within certain limits.

it the points 30, the tongues 6 of the units are pivotally connected to the heads 5 of the units to the rear.

In front of the unit 2 hereinbefore referred to I prefer to employ a unit including a tongue 6%,and barges 1350, these elements 600 and 1399 being hollow like the corresponding elements 18 and 6, and the elements 13a: being pivotally or loosely connected at 1355 with the forward tongue 6 and being limited in swing- .ing by forward cables 14m and rear cables 15%.

As illustrated in Figure 1 each of the barges 13 and 13:0 of tank or hollow type is equipped with a plurality of bottom or bed disk plow elements 40, each of the elements 40 being provided with one or more plowdiscs ll, and the plow disks on each barge 13 or 130; at one side of the line of tongues 6 being disposed in one direction, and the plow disks on the barges l3 and 18m at the opposite side of the line of tongue 6 being disposed in the opposite direction. In other words, the disc plows ll at opposite sides of the line of tongues 6 are oppositely disposed so as to assist in the shorewardly plowing ditching movement of the commingled water and silt or mud shorewardly. Also as shown in Figure 7 the beams of the disk plows 10 are pivotally connected or mounted at 42 on the barges 13 and 13m, and said beams carry the plow discs 11 at one end and are provided-at their opposite ends with counter see balance weights 43. The said counter balance weights 43 may be of any type without affecting my invention though I prefer to employ as weights pendent tanks 44, pivotally connected at l5 and having filling apertures 46 whereby they may be charged in any approved manner with water and either fully or partially. The function of the said countor balance weight 43 is to maintain the disc plows 41 in proper engagement with the bed or bottom of the channel after the manner shown in Figure 2.

In order that the disk plows may be adjusted lengthwise with respect to the barges 13 and 13m in order to better accommodate the disk plows to the depth of water encountered, each disk plow may have its beam combined with a longitudinally disposed guide, pivotally mounted at 51 on the barges 13 and 13:10, as the case may be and provided with anti-friction rollers 5100. The guide, preferably, though not necessarily, includes an I-member 52, as best shown in Fig. ure 5, and the pivotal connection alluded to is preferably effected by the device 53, Figures 5 and 6, the said device 53 being associated with screws 54 shaped as shown and designed to connect the device 53 to the pendent flanges of the T-member 52 and to also connect in pivotal manner the said pendent flanges to upstanding flanges 54 fixed at 55 on the bar 'es 13 or 1303, as the case may be. It will be understood in this connection that portions of the screws 54 serve as trunnions bearing in the upstanding flanges secured on the beams 13 or 1300 as the case may be, and it will also be understood that while the guide and the disk plow or disk plow beam are adapted to swing vertically as a unit, the disk plow or disk plow beam is capable of being adjusted endwise through the guide 52 so as to extend the disc plows 41 to posit-ions where they will properly engage the bed or bottom or the channel. The disk plow shown in Figures 3 and 4- is shown as provided with two disc plows 41 arranged in parallelism, but I would have it understood that without ali'ecting my invention, each disk plow set or disk plow beam may carry either one disc plow 4 or a pair of such disc plows or any desired l number of disc plows.

For the adjustment and adjustable fixing of each disk plow or disk plow beam I may employ as shown in Figures 3 and 4 a drum having a crank 61, and a cable 62 connected to and adapted to be wound upon the drum and also connected at 63 to the guide 52, the said cable 62 being trained about a sheave 64 on the disk plow beam 10 and the cable being so arranged in conventional manner as illustrated. that when the drum 60 is turned in one direction the beam 40 will be permitted to move endwise downwardly ortoward the right in Figures 3 and 4, while when the drum 60 is turned in the opposite direction, the

beam 40 will be retracted. The beam 40 is provided at its upper side with a strap 7 0 having indentures 71 at intervals in its length, and mounted in the guide 50 are screws 72 designed when it is desired to adjustably fix the beam 40, to be turned downwardly and seated in one of the indentures 71. Manifestly when the screws 72 are disposed as last stated, endwise movement of the beam 40 through the guide 52 in either direction will be eli'ectively prevented,

As shown at the right of Figure 1 it is within the purview of my invention to employ supplemental trailing wing dam sections 950 at the rear ends of at least one pair of wing dam members 9. The supplemental wing dam members 9w are shown as pivotally connected at 17 to the rear end of the wing dam members 9, comprised in the unit 3, and by swinging outwardly, it will be seen that the supplemental wing dam members 9% will operate to efi'ectively span and controllably retard the full width of channel power water and to guide the current of water between the wing dam members 9 and in that way contribute to the increased efliciency of the impelling hydraulic velocity of under wing members swiftly escaping sub-currents of water in displacing shorewardly the silt and other substance raised by the disk plow means or plow disks a1.

it will be apparent from the foregoing that my invention contemplates the towing of my novel apparatus upstream, while the apparatus is in a closed or folded state and also contemplates the repeated progress of the apparatus downstream, and preferably under the action of the stream or by virtue of the current in the stream, and incident to the said downward movement of the apparatus or rather the downstream movement of the apparatus in the relation shown in Figures 2 and 9 to the bottom or bed of the channel, the disc-plows 1-1 will shorewardly plow the bed or boitom of the entire predetermined standaro width of commercial river channel and at the same time the impelling hydraulic velocity of the sub-current produced by the wing dam members will operate as a hydraulic dredge so that the commingled water and ilt and other substance removed from the bed or bottom will be progressively diverted shorewardly and gulfward or toward the mouth of the river, and in consequence the channel will to a certain degree be permanently deepened and straightened and planed. Obviously because of such deepening and cleaning of the bed or bottom of the channel, the velocity of the current will be increased, and the increased depth and capacity of a commercial channel will be maintained in an improved condition. This will be appreciated as an important advantage when it is stated that when a commercial channel is permanently straightened and deepened and cleaned in the manner stated, then the tonnage capacity of every commercial water craft can be increased to the maxi- .mum limit and the liability of flood hazard and city sewer pollution will be reduced to a minimum.

It is within the purview of my invention to provide each of the tank elements of my ap atus with iilling openings for the introduction of water to facililate submerging of said elements, and obviously any or all of said elements may have one or more partitions, as 5050 in Figure 1 so that Water may .be placed in or removed from certain portions thereof as when it is desired to submerge certain port-ions to a greater or less extent.

it will be gathered from the foregoin that combined floating, semi-floating, submergible, portable, and expansible wing eam apparatus when properly adjusted and controlled to effectively span rivers and channels of var1 Nous widths and depths vertically and horizontally in such a manner as to economically and effectively serve as a progressive conservator of and utilizer of current power in navigable streams for the progressive deepeuing and widening of the channel of such "streams and this by the effective use of a plurality of wing dam units and the shorewardly plowing means, the wing dam umtsassuring the production of a sub-current with m- ..vcrcased velocity and the utilization of such 'impelling hydraulic velocity of sub-current as a hydraulic dredge, sanitary channel scouring and deeping means and widening means and planing means and commercial r ve-r channel hazard straightening, shortening, uniintaining and flood and city sewer pollution eliminating means.

It will be gathered that the units of my novel apparatus are susceptible of being easily and effectively controlled and that they are submergible or semi-floating and are expansible, and that by means of extra extensions in the form of wing units, the unit may be given a wedge shape form for the purpose of promoting the enfolding, retardation, conservation and regulation of the depth of flood retardation water power so as to assure the utilization of the same to the best advantages for the progressive and oft'ective shorewardly plowing and ditching in connection with the shorewardly diverted impelling sub-current velocity hydraulically scouring excavation of channels and the diversion of silt and other scour and mudmixed water shoreward and mouthward or gulfward, so that as a result will greatly an plify commercial channels, be permanently deepened and s raightened, shortened and the velocity of channel current will be in creased and the river channel cleaned and permanently maintained in an improved condition.

It will further be gathered that my novel apparatus involves a wedge shaped wing dam device with a long and substantial central body portion designed to have its several trailing units arranged controllably in the center of and parallel with river channels and having on each side of said central body portion at the forward end thereof Wedge shaped head extensions proportioned approximately twice the width of the integral body portion, said head being characterized at its rear and at its each side with a recessed universal joint for the attachment of wings and said wings of the approximate width and depth of the main or central body and adapted to be folded alongside of the body propriate cable hitched to the outer or rear end of the wing to be guided, for use in movmg the two main wings on each of the units for the extension of the same and for the holding of the same controllably in place I substantially as shown in Figures 1 and 7 of the drawings. In this connection it will be understood that all right and left main unit wings are preferably constructed alike and in such manner as to be interchangeable and both ends of each wing are alike and interchangeable, and all extra extension wings are preferably of the same construction and are connected in the same manner, and also wing unit ends and other installations thereon and all disk plow unit means are preferably alike in the sense that they are standardized and interchangeable. i

I have entered into a detailed description of the construction and relative arrangement of the parts embraced in the present and best practical embodiment of my invention of which I am cognizant in order toimpart a full, clear, and exact understanding of the said embodiment. I do not desire, however, to be understood as limiting myself to the construction and relative arrangement of elements as defined, my invent-ion being set forth in my appended claims within the scope of which modifications may be made without departure from my invention.

For instance incident to the working or the use of my novel apparatus various manipulations may be resorted to, and for transportation upstream the disk plow elements are raised and held placed above water, and the long barges supporting the same are preferably placed endwise parallel with the river channel and in tandem arrangement towed upstream on side of or ahead of or behind the folded wing dam units.

The I-member or beam 52, shown in sheet 2 of the drawing constitutes a highly important feature of the holding element of the disc plow holding arm or beam 40. It will also be understood that the set screws 72, Figures 3 and 4 are adapted in conjunction with the major portion of the I-beam or member :52 to hold the beam or arm 40 in a vise-like manner as is imperatively necessary incident to the operation of the apparatus.

The timbers 11, Figures 2 and 8, and 9, are preferably long substantially buoyant timbers bolted firmly together by such substantial means as will Withstand great stress of current, and the timbers being inherently buoyant the tank members will be assisted in moving upwardly by the timbers when water is forced out of the tank members or is drained from the tank members through valves or cocks, not illustrated.

Manifestly by removing water from or adding water to the tank members of the apparatus, the said tank members may be submerged to a greater or less extent as conditions demand.

lVith particular reference to Figures 3, i and 5 of the drawings, I would have it understood that within the purview of my invention the sides of the guide or holder for the beam or arm 40 of each scarifier, may be formed by the upstanding flanges of the I- beam or member 52 in lieu of sides attached to said upstanding flanges as appears specifically in Figure 5.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in rivers characterized by currents, and in combination, floatable means movable in water above the bed or bottom of a channel, sets of oppositely disposed shorewardly plowing ditching devices carried by said movable means at opposite sides thereof and operative incident to movement of said movable means, and floating channel spanning and power conserving and utilizing wing dam members connected with the first named movable means and diverging from a point between the sets of ditching devices.

2. In means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in rivers characterized by currents, and in combination, floatable means movable in Water above the bed or bottom of a channel, sets of oppositely disposed shorewardly plowing ditching devices carried by said movable means at opposite sides thereof and operative incident to movement and power conserving and utilizing wing dam members connected with the first named movable means and diverging from a point between the sets of ditching device; the ditching devices of each set being spaced apart.

3. In means for deepening and otherwise improving the channels of rivers by currents, and in combination, a plurality of units connected together in tandem arrangement, each of the said units comprising movable floatable means adapted to traverse the channel, sets of oppositely disposed shorewardly plowing ditching devices arranged transversely at opposite sides of said movable means, and floating, channel spanning and power conserving and utilizing wing dam members connected with and diverging from the movable means at a point between the sets of ditching devices.

4. In means for deepening and otherwise improving the channels of rivers by currents, and in combination, a plurality of units connected together in tandem arrangement, each of the said units comprising movable tloatable means adapted to traverse the channel, sets of oppositely disposed shorewardly plowing ditching devices arranged transversely at opposite sides of said movable means, floating, channel spanning and power conserving and utilizing Wing dam members connected with and diverging from the movable means at a point between the sets of ditching devices; and means for moving and holding said wing dam members.

5. In means for deepening and otherwise improving the channels of rivers by currents,

and in combination, a plurality of units con-- nected together in tandem arrangement each of the said units comprising movable floatable means adapted to traverse the channel, sets of oppositely disposed shorewardly plowing ditching devices arranged transversely at opposite sides of said movable means, floating, channel spanning and power conserving and utilizing wing dam members connected with and diverging from the movable means at a point between the sets of ditching devices; means for moving and holding said wing dam members; and the wing dam members of at least one unit being provided at their outer ends with outwardly and inwardly movable complemental wing dam members.

6. In means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in bodies of water, and in combination, carrying means, and shorewardly plowing ditching devices carried by said carrying means; the said ditching devices being arranged in side by side and spaced relation on the carrying means and each device comprising a guide mounted on the carrying means to swing vertically, a beam mounted in and movable through said guide, plowing means at one end of said beam, a counter balanced weight atthe opposite end of the beam. means connected with the guide and the beam for moving the beam endwise relative to the guide, and complemental-y means on the guide and the beam for detachably securing the beam against endwis-e movement through the guide.

7. In means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in bodies of water, and in combination, means movable and floatable in water and above the bed or bottom of a channel, barges carried by and extending laterally in opposite directions from the first named means, and shorewardly plowingditching devices carried on said barges in side by side and spaced relation, and means connected with the first named movable means for conserving and producing impelling currents of water for passage of the same in powerful currents near the channel bottom between the said shorewardly plowing ditching devices.

8. In means for deepening and otherwise improving the channels of rivers characterized by currents, and in combination, a plurality of units connected together in tandem arrangement; each of the said units comprising movable means adapted to traverse the bed or bottom of a channel; sets of oppositely disposed plows arranged transversely at opposite sides of the forward portion of said movable means, and means for diverting the currenttoward the sets of plows; the named means being of wing dam; type and being movably connected with the first named means; and being associated with means for moving their rear portions inwardly and for maintaining said rear portions against casual outward movement.

9. in means for deepening and otherwise improving the. channels of rivers characterized by currents and in combination, a plurality of units connected together in tandem arrangement; each of the said units comprising movable means adapted to traverse the bed or bottom of a channel; sets of oppositely disposed plows arranged transversely at opposite sides of the forward portion of said movable means, and means for divert.- ing the current toward the sets of plows; the last named means being of wing dam type and being movabl connected with the first named means; and being associated with means for moving their rear portions inwardly and for maintaining said rear portions against casual outward movement, and the wing dam mem bers of at least one unit being provided at tl i outer ends with outwardly movable supplemental wing dam members.

10. In means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in bodies of water, and in combination,carrying means, and plows for engaging and plowing the bed or bottom of 3 the channel carried l y said carrying means;

the said plows being arranged in side by side relation on the carrying means, and each plow comprising a guide mounted on the carrying means to swing vertically, a beam nounted in and movable through said guide, plowing means at. one end of said bean, a counter-balance weight at the opposite end of the beam, means connected with the guide and the beam for moving the beam endwise relative to the guide, and complementary means on the guide and the beam for detachably securing the beam against endwise movement through the guide.

11. Means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in rivers characterized by currents, comprising in combination float-- able m ians movable in water, trailing shorewardly disposed plowing ditching devices carried by said means and spaced apart and arranged crosswise of the line of movement of the movable means, and floating means also carried by said movable means for damming and impounding water and permitting water to escape in powerful currents through the spaces between the said snorewardly disposed plowing ditching devices.

12. Means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in rivers characterized by currents, comprising in combination floatable means movable in water, trailing shorewardly disposed plowing ditching devices carried by said means and spaced apart and arranged crosswise of the line of movement of the movable means, and floating means also carried by said movable means for damming and impounding water and permitting water to escape in powerful currents through the spaces between the said shorewardly disposed plowing ditching devices: the means for damming' and impounding water being foldahle relatively to opposite sides of said fioatabl means movable in water, whereby the means as a whole may be easily moved upstream in the water with said damming means along side the said floatableineans.

13. Means for deepening and otherwise improving channels in rivers characterized by currents, comprising fioatable means movable in water, trailing means lateral to said floatable means and shorewardly disposed and movable. to form ditches in the river bottom, and tioatable means connected with and freelv movable relatively to said first nameo ti atable means for damming and permitting water to escape near the river bottom in powerful currents past saic ditch forming means.

14. In channel deepening means and in combination, a long deep hollow submersible central body provided with unit coupling means at each end thereof, long hollow sillmersible floating side wings h ged thereto, said wings controllably adapted to swing in and out, and up and down in slightly spaced relation above stream bed, a pair of side tanks, and pluralities of trailing shorewardly disposed plowing disk plows connected with and adapted to be pulled by said tanks.

15. In channel deepening means in combination, a long hollow air tight and water tight central body with air tight and water tight compartments in each end thereof into and out of which water can be passed to bring about proper service submersion, long hollow air tight and water tight floating side wings and extension wings hin 'ed thereto with air tight central transverse partitions dividing each hollow wing dam member into air tight and water tight compartments into and out of which water can be passed to bring about service submersion a pair of side tanks con nected with said central body, and gangs of shorewardly disposed plowing disk plows connected with and trailing from said side tanks.

16. In channel deepening means and in combination, a long deep hollow submersible floating portable central body with unitcoupling means at each end thereof, long hollow submersible floating side wings hinged thereto. controllably adapted to swing in and out and up and down channel-spanning side tanks, and pluralities of shorewardly disposed plowing disk plows connected therewith, said channel spanning disk holding tanks being controllably adapted to float in slightly spaced relation above channel bed, and in combination with wing members are adapted to dam or baiile the major portion of the upper part or normal current water path area in stream.

17. In channel deepening means and in combination floating channel spanning wing dam unit means, floating and submersible channel spanning side tanks connected therewith arm holder hinged to said tanks on entire top side on the upstream edge of each in spaced side by side relation, arms adjustable endwise in said holders and swingable up and down therewith and having attached to outer end of each of said arm spaced and angled disk plows, each plurality of disk plows on each side of center body being reversed to those on the opposite side and adapted to systematically shorewardly plow its half of a channel.

18. Channel deepening means comprising in combination submersible floating portable channel spanning wing dam means a long deep hollow submersible floating portable leading unit connected with said wing dam means and adapted to have powered craft hitched to down stream end thereof a set'of channel spanning side tanks connected with said leading unit, disk holding arms hinged to said tanks and having shoreward disposed plowing disks at their outer ends, supplementary long hollow submersible floating wing members connected with said wing dam means, the outer ends of said extension wing movable with said movable floatable means,

for forming spaced ditches in the river bottom, located for the passage therethrough of said current-s.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

FRANK FREDEEN.

Ion 

